That's right folks. And we're going on day #5. Jason and I added it up and estimated that we've changed close to 40 diarrhea diapers in the past five days...in all shades and colors. In fact, dare I say it, but there was one color (in the turquoise family) that was so pretty I wanted to save the diaper and try and find paint to match it for our guest bedroom. And for those of you with kids, you know, but the poop doesn't always stay int he diaper. Actually, most of the time it likes to gush out the edges like a smelly avalanche, roaring it's way down those chubby little legs and onto whatever meets it's path - one of those times it was mommy's tummy. Yum. So with that escapade comes laundry - LOADS of it. Everyday. Cause not only are we washing his clothes, but all the blankets and bedding that come along with it. Not to mention the baby who gets a dip in the sink with each poop avalanche. And the poor guy has pooped so much, his little behind is a bright shade of red to compliment his many shaded poops. And I probably don't even have to mention the lack of any kind of routine these days, shrill screams and fussiness, and constant streams of spit up. You get the picture.
Yes, our poor little fella has his first tummy virus. And it's not pretty (well, except for that turquoise poop). I miss my little giggles and constant smiles. We went to the doctor yesterday and there's nothing serious going on, so he just needs to ride it out. So that's what we're doing. I've been home working the past few days taking care of the little guy. The funny thing is I got sick two nights ago with unexplainable nausea. My skin was hurting and muscles aching and I felt like passing out when I would get up. But no fever...so no flu. Then what is it? It's been the great mystery the past few days. The other night the nausea was so bad, I came into the living room and slept on the floor (something I was notorious for doing when I was pregnant). I've had zero appetite and the nausea is overbearing at times...then at times it's not so bad. At any other moment, I'd swear I was pregnant cause all the symptoms match how I felt last year at this time. But don't go suggesting baby names for us or anything, cause I think it's near impossible since that little Aunt of mine has just packed her bags a few days ago.
Anyway, in the meantime Jason's been a DREAM. He was totally Mr. Mom yesterday, taking care of both of us, changing diapers, getting medicine...there was a moment when I walked in the living room with Lincoln sprawled across his chest asleep and it was priceless. I would have taken a picture but didn't want to wake him up. I'm just reminded everyday, even in the midst of more poop than you can imagine, how blessed I am. :)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Social Networking DOES Have It's Benefits
I know I already wrote one post today, but since Lincoln's sleeping most of the day, and it's snowing outside, I thought I wold take this moment to update one more thing that's been on my mind...
I title the post this way because I can't count the number of times I've heard social networking slammed and ridiculed by many people (usually older generations) saying it's nothing a path to unrighteousness and allowing all sorts of evil to filter into lives (really? come on). I personally find it quite useful and a way for my friends, who are literally scattered all over the country, and I to stay connected and involved in each others lives through daily updates and pictures, where we might not have the opportunity otherwise. A few years ago, when I lead a group of girls on a mission trip to the Ukraine, we were low on funds and some people found out about our trip through Facebook, were touched by what God was doing, and helped us out financially. A true blessing.
Here recently (the reason for this post), I received a message from a kid, we'll call him Joe for the sake of anonymity (and that I don't have permission to use his name), on my Myspace account - which I rarely check, but just happened to the other day.
Back story - When I lived in California, I worked at a place for kids that were wards of the state and had no legal ties to any of their families. They had failed MANY foster placements before being placed in my specific facility - a.k.a. "kid jail", "hell-on-earth", "if-you're-bad-enough-to-come-here-you-have-no-hope-in-life"...fun place. I started working here cause I thought I could make a difference. Oh my little full-of-hope heart :) The problems these kids faced and experienced in their lies were like none I had ever seen, much less even heard of. Even now, after being in this field for many years, I still haven't seen things like I saw those few years of working there. I worked in the boy's side, kids 8-12. I had my heart strings snagged, patience tested, emotions checked, maturity levels forced to increase, and ultimately, my faith and endurance rung through fire.
During this time, I met Joe. He was an 8 year old, tiny little Hispanic boy that arrived his first day at this place during my shift. I walked into his room as he was unpacking his things to welcome him and introduce myself. Instead of the return introduction, I received, "F*** you! Get out of my F***ing room! This place F****ing sucks *#@*##*@@@**##....!!!!"
I smile to myself because I know I was stupid to really expect anything other than what I got. Then I say to myself "I'll try again tomorrow."
And I did.
And I got the same response.
But I kept trying.
And trying...and then tried some more.
Eventually, I gained a slither of Joe's trust, and it was one night when he started asking me about my faith in God. He asked, so I talked...and these talks turned into nightly talks. Staff had to sit outside each room while the kids fell asleep (to make sure nothing bad happened), and Joe always wanted me outside of his so we could have our talks. My relationship with Joe grew a little each week as he slowly began to let his guard down.
In fall 2004, I was accepted into a PH.D. program that monopolized 90% of my time, including time I would need for a job. So I had to quit. My last day on the job, after prayer and consideration, I truly felt God still wanted me to stay involved in Joe's life. It was an overriding push I couldn't ignore, and I pursued the possibility of being a volunteer mentor for Joe. After talking to case workers and personnel at the place I worked, it worked out to where I became Joe's mentor and got to have weekly visits with Joe.
Every Saturday, I came and picked him up and we did different activities together. Regardless of what activity, we always ate at In-and-Out - Joe's favorite. Joe's behaviors started to improve in his placement over the next year and he was able to move to a group home (only few people improve to make this step)...our visits continued for the year and at the end of the year, Joe had made enough improvements to continue in public school (the only kid in this placement to get to go to public school), and was set to graduate from elementary school.
He was excited for the graduation and the possibility that his mother and brother might even come. Of course I went to the graduation, and he was even awarded in front of the entire school for greatest accomplishment and most improved! I was so proud...but after it was over, quickly realized I was the only one there to see him...no family...no friends. The kid literally had no one.
Shortly after, I moved to Arkansas. It's been five years and I still to this day think about how Joe is doing and pray for him continually. I even tried to get in touch with him through his case worker a few years ago with little success because of HIPPA laws and such.
Then, a few days ago, in my Myspace inbox, was a message...from Joe. My heart stopped. My eyes welled. He gave his number and wanted me to call him. He would later tell me a few days after, that when I responded to him, he cried, and that he had no idea why, but he cried. Joe will be 16 soon...last time I heard from him, he was 11. He told me just the other night that he has lost touch with everyone's who's tried to help him in his life, but he doesn't want to do that anymore. He asked if I still "pray for everything"...after my response of "of course", he asked that I continue to pray for him.
You bet I will. It's good to have Joe back in my life. I've always said he was inspiration for why I do what I do. During those years of working at that place, I contemplated whether or not working with kids with mental health issues and rough pasts is really what I wanted to do. It was so hard and exhausting with little to none rewards. Yet God placed it on my heart. Something I can't ignore. And when Joe came along, I realized God really can change lives - in a dramatic way, even through measly people like you and me.
Joe's not a Christian. But you can bet I pray for his soul on a daily basis. I pray to someday get a call from him saying, "Melissa, I get it now. I get what you always talked about."
I title the post this way because I can't count the number of times I've heard social networking slammed and ridiculed by many people (usually older generations) saying it's nothing a path to unrighteousness and allowing all sorts of evil to filter into lives (really? come on). I personally find it quite useful and a way for my friends, who are literally scattered all over the country, and I to stay connected and involved in each others lives through daily updates and pictures, where we might not have the opportunity otherwise. A few years ago, when I lead a group of girls on a mission trip to the Ukraine, we were low on funds and some people found out about our trip through Facebook, were touched by what God was doing, and helped us out financially. A true blessing.
Here recently (the reason for this post), I received a message from a kid, we'll call him Joe for the sake of anonymity (and that I don't have permission to use his name), on my Myspace account - which I rarely check, but just happened to the other day.
Back story - When I lived in California, I worked at a place for kids that were wards of the state and had no legal ties to any of their families. They had failed MANY foster placements before being placed in my specific facility - a.k.a. "kid jail", "hell-on-earth", "if-you're-bad-enough-to-come-here-you-have-no-hope-in-life"...fun place. I started working here cause I thought I could make a difference. Oh my little full-of-hope heart :) The problems these kids faced and experienced in their lies were like none I had ever seen, much less even heard of. Even now, after being in this field for many years, I still haven't seen things like I saw those few years of working there. I worked in the boy's side, kids 8-12. I had my heart strings snagged, patience tested, emotions checked, maturity levels forced to increase, and ultimately, my faith and endurance rung through fire.
During this time, I met Joe. He was an 8 year old, tiny little Hispanic boy that arrived his first day at this place during my shift. I walked into his room as he was unpacking his things to welcome him and introduce myself. Instead of the return introduction, I received, "F*** you! Get out of my F***ing room! This place F****ing sucks *#@*##*@@@**##....!!!!"
I smile to myself because I know I was stupid to really expect anything other than what I got. Then I say to myself "I'll try again tomorrow."
And I did.
And I got the same response.
But I kept trying.
And trying...and then tried some more.
Eventually, I gained a slither of Joe's trust, and it was one night when he started asking me about my faith in God. He asked, so I talked...and these talks turned into nightly talks. Staff had to sit outside each room while the kids fell asleep (to make sure nothing bad happened), and Joe always wanted me outside of his so we could have our talks. My relationship with Joe grew a little each week as he slowly began to let his guard down.
In fall 2004, I was accepted into a PH.D. program that monopolized 90% of my time, including time I would need for a job. So I had to quit. My last day on the job, after prayer and consideration, I truly felt God still wanted me to stay involved in Joe's life. It was an overriding push I couldn't ignore, and I pursued the possibility of being a volunteer mentor for Joe. After talking to case workers and personnel at the place I worked, it worked out to where I became Joe's mentor and got to have weekly visits with Joe.
Every Saturday, I came and picked him up and we did different activities together. Regardless of what activity, we always ate at In-and-Out - Joe's favorite. Joe's behaviors started to improve in his placement over the next year and he was able to move to a group home (only few people improve to make this step)...our visits continued for the year and at the end of the year, Joe had made enough improvements to continue in public school (the only kid in this placement to get to go to public school), and was set to graduate from elementary school.
He was excited for the graduation and the possibility that his mother and brother might even come. Of course I went to the graduation, and he was even awarded in front of the entire school for greatest accomplishment and most improved! I was so proud...but after it was over, quickly realized I was the only one there to see him...no family...no friends. The kid literally had no one.
Shortly after, I moved to Arkansas. It's been five years and I still to this day think about how Joe is doing and pray for him continually. I even tried to get in touch with him through his case worker a few years ago with little success because of HIPPA laws and such.
Then, a few days ago, in my Myspace inbox, was a message...from Joe. My heart stopped. My eyes welled. He gave his number and wanted me to call him. He would later tell me a few days after, that when I responded to him, he cried, and that he had no idea why, but he cried. Joe will be 16 soon...last time I heard from him, he was 11. He told me just the other night that he has lost touch with everyone's who's tried to help him in his life, but he doesn't want to do that anymore. He asked if I still "pray for everything"...after my response of "of course", he asked that I continue to pray for him.
You bet I will. It's good to have Joe back in my life. I've always said he was inspiration for why I do what I do. During those years of working at that place, I contemplated whether or not working with kids with mental health issues and rough pasts is really what I wanted to do. It was so hard and exhausting with little to none rewards. Yet God placed it on my heart. Something I can't ignore. And when Joe came along, I realized God really can change lives - in a dramatic way, even through measly people like you and me.
Joe's not a Christian. But you can bet I pray for his soul on a daily basis. I pray to someday get a call from him saying, "Melissa, I get it now. I get what you always talked about."
Sleeping In...Snow...Almost April...What??!!!
Jason and I woke up this morning with a funny realization. I asked him, "When was the last time we woke up with Lincoln, Benny, & Papi in the bed, and it was 10:10am, and there was snow on the ground, and it was three days till April?"
Never was the unanimous answer.
In fact, the only thing normal about that whole picture was Benny and Papi being in the bed. Let me explain the rest: yesterday little Lincoln got pretty sick. He had diarrhea a total of 8 times throughout the course of the day and couldn't keep any of his formula down. He also ran fever the latter part of the day/night, and was super lethargic, sleeping about 90% of the day in his little swing in the living room with us. We got some pedialyte for fear that he was getting dehydrated and he was too sick to even drink it, so we had to syringe feed it to him throughout the day/night. He slept in his swing in our room so we could monitor him, and at about 5:30 this morning, he woke up grunting like he didn't feel good. I pulled him in bed by me gave him some more pedialyte, which by the way - he sucked down this time! After that, the next thing I remember, we were all waking up to snow at 10:10!! Lincoln has never slept that late!
Today he is much better - he's crying again (which is good...he didn't even have the energy to do that yesterday) and he's drinking tons of his pedialyte and taking lots of naps. We'll try formula again later tonight.
Weird day.
Never was the unanimous answer.
In fact, the only thing normal about that whole picture was Benny and Papi being in the bed. Let me explain the rest: yesterday little Lincoln got pretty sick. He had diarrhea a total of 8 times throughout the course of the day and couldn't keep any of his formula down. He also ran fever the latter part of the day/night, and was super lethargic, sleeping about 90% of the day in his little swing in the living room with us. We got some pedialyte for fear that he was getting dehydrated and he was too sick to even drink it, so we had to syringe feed it to him throughout the day/night. He slept in his swing in our room so we could monitor him, and at about 5:30 this morning, he woke up grunting like he didn't feel good. I pulled him in bed by me gave him some more pedialyte, which by the way - he sucked down this time! After that, the next thing I remember, we were all waking up to snow at 10:10!! Lincoln has never slept that late!
Today he is much better - he's crying again (which is good...he didn't even have the energy to do that yesterday) and he's drinking tons of his pedialyte and taking lots of naps. We'll try formula again later tonight.
Weird day.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Rice Cereal
"Mr. Tough Guy...what do you think about trying your first taste of real food (does rice cereal actually count as real food)...?"
"Okay - I'll take that as you being crazy excited for your rice cereal...are you sure you're ready to try it??????"
"Alright, here it comes..."
"What'd ya think? Everything you expected??"
Tonight we had some friends over for dinner. They brought their 18 month old little girl (Lincoln LOVES the ladies!) who just got a kick out handing every toy Lincoln owns to him to play with. She was great and sure knew how to keep the little man's attention...so much that after they left, I was holding the little batman, and within five minutes, he was zonked out in my arms - by the way, there's few things I hold more precious in this world than holding my sweet baby in my arms, where he feels comfortable and safe enough enough to drift off to sleep - priceless.
And then I shortly followed...
"Okay - I'll take that as you being crazy excited for your rice cereal...are you sure you're ready to try it??????"
"Alright, here it comes..."
"What'd ya think? Everything you expected??"
Tonight we had some friends over for dinner. They brought their 18 month old little girl (Lincoln LOVES the ladies!) who just got a kick out handing every toy Lincoln owns to him to play with. She was great and sure knew how to keep the little man's attention...so much that after they left, I was holding the little batman, and within five minutes, he was zonked out in my arms - by the way, there's few things I hold more precious in this world than holding my sweet baby in my arms, where he feels comfortable and safe enough enough to drift off to sleep - priceless.
And then I shortly followed...
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Rainy Day
You'd think on a rainy day, all I'd wanna do is sleep in, hold my little bundle, and stay in my pajamas watching America's Next Top Model marathons (yes, I'm a confessed addict)...but no. What am I doing today? I got the strongest urge at 7:30am - AM as in imustbegoingcrazy or have really turned into, dare I say it, my mother (she really is great - not mockery here) - to CLEAN. DEEP clean.
Jason's in Conway doing basketball stuff today, so I took Lincoln to his day care for the morning/afternoon and I am now resting my Cinderella bones after the first cleaning shift (yes, I have to divide into shifts or I'll go insane), before tackling the next one. This might be the Monica in me, but I truly find joy in the look, the feel, and the sheer smell of clean. Ahhh...adds a sprinkle of calmness in the midst of all the insanity going on around here these days.
Speaking of insanity, remember our darling Papi? The one who got stuck in the abandoned pool for a week straight yet lived to tell (or bark and lick) about it? The same one who then, last month, broke his tail? Well, he's been limping the past few days so I took him to the vet yesterday and guess what? The little rescue dog has a DISLOCATED KNEE...? What??? How does that happen? So I asked the doc (are they considered doc's?) how long it will take to get better and what can we do about it...she said nothing except surgery. Okay. How much might that be? $3,000.00. Excuse me, what? So basically, she told me in that office that unless we have the surgery for the unthinkable $3000.00 (and he would have to go to Tulsa to get it), our little athletic, full of life Papi will limp for the rest of his life! I know I'm pathetic, but I cried. And he doesn't limp that bad all the time...he doesn't seem to be in pain either. The doc said to keep him off his feet for three weeks (day one: already impossible), and see if it doesn't seem to get better. She said there's a chance something's just torn, but she's pretty sure his knee is dislocated. So we'll give it a few weeks and then we've decided we're going for a second opinion. So if any of you know any really good vets, let me know! Or if any of you have three grand lying around and just don't know what in the heck to do with it, well, I can give you an idea. :)
And then, as always, here's my baby...we tried to get a video of him laughing yesterday (he got ticked and just laughed at EVERYTHING for about 20 minutes straight!) but I couldn't find my stupid camera. Maybe we'll get it today.
Jason's in Conway doing basketball stuff today, so I took Lincoln to his day care for the morning/afternoon and I am now resting my Cinderella bones after the first cleaning shift (yes, I have to divide into shifts or I'll go insane), before tackling the next one. This might be the Monica in me, but I truly find joy in the look, the feel, and the sheer smell of clean. Ahhh...adds a sprinkle of calmness in the midst of all the insanity going on around here these days.
Speaking of insanity, remember our darling Papi? The one who got stuck in the abandoned pool for a week straight yet lived to tell (or bark and lick) about it? The same one who then, last month, broke his tail? Well, he's been limping the past few days so I took him to the vet yesterday and guess what? The little rescue dog has a DISLOCATED KNEE...? What??? How does that happen? So I asked the doc (are they considered doc's?) how long it will take to get better and what can we do about it...she said nothing except surgery. Okay. How much might that be? $3,000.00. Excuse me, what? So basically, she told me in that office that unless we have the surgery for the unthinkable $3000.00 (and he would have to go to Tulsa to get it), our little athletic, full of life Papi will limp for the rest of his life! I know I'm pathetic, but I cried. And he doesn't limp that bad all the time...he doesn't seem to be in pain either. The doc said to keep him off his feet for three weeks (day one: already impossible), and see if it doesn't seem to get better. She said there's a chance something's just torn, but she's pretty sure his knee is dislocated. So we'll give it a few weeks and then we've decided we're going for a second opinion. So if any of you know any really good vets, let me know! Or if any of you have three grand lying around and just don't know what in the heck to do with it, well, I can give you an idea. :)
And then, as always, here's my baby...we tried to get a video of him laughing yesterday (he got ticked and just laughed at EVERYTHING for about 20 minutes straight!) but I couldn't find my stupid camera. Maybe we'll get it today.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Who Are You?
So I get these weekly reports from this device that tracks hits on the ole' blog...the past couple of weeks, there's been close to 1,000. So I'm super curious as to who of you stop by and visit; I'm always looking for new blogs to read, so if ya stop by, leave a comment and introduce yourself - I'd love to check yours out, too!!! Happy Monday (I am happy cause it's the start of spring break for us). :)
Saturday, March 21, 2009
B-I-O-L-A!!...and Batman
A few days ago Jason and I took little Lincoln on his first Kansas City trip. The NAIA tournament was there and Biola played in the first round so I went to relive some old memories and show some school support (and Nate Rakestraw plays there now - Jason's old player, so it was fun to watch him, too). And what a GREAT day!!! I used to be very good friends with some of Biola's players back in the day, so we spent many a night cheering our hearts out for the Eagles and living and breathing their victories during season. One of them is now an assistant coach - has it really been that many years since I was there??? It was great to feel like I was 18 again, cheering and going crazy, all while screaming "Go Biola!!!!"...haven't screamed that in years. Long overdue...it felt nice. So nice and right in fact, that I began discussing with Jason what it would be like for him to coach the Eagles...or any of the schools in GSAC for that matter (Point Loma and Westmont would be my preferences - ha). Anyway, it's no secret I'm a HUGE (understated) fan of Biola - some say I should be a recruiter for the big BU because I seem to have an early love affair with the school. My alma mater holds a special place in my heart. :)
This picture below is us with the chaplain at Biola, Ron Hafer - he was amazing and actually remembered me after all these years - crazy. Great to see him!!!
And then of course I can't leave you without adorable Lincoln pictures...last night he was playing and giggling to no end, and then, it ended - and this is what the end looked like:
This picture below is us with the chaplain at Biola, Ron Hafer - he was amazing and actually remembered me after all these years - crazy. Great to see him!!!
And then of course I can't leave you without adorable Lincoln pictures...last night he was playing and giggling to no end, and then, it ended - and this is what the end looked like:
How about those batman PJ's?? Aren't they the cutest things ever? We think Lincoln's in the beginning stages of teething...hint the random screaming fits (that thankfully don't last long and end in smiles eventually), the bright red cheeks, constant drooling, and, did I mention, the screeching scream that randomly erupts out of nowhere??? He's bringing on the teeth...I'm bringing on the Tylenol. :)
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